Want to get to venue bookers more often and more effectively? There is a fine line between professional prodding and being a pest. Those everyday check-in calls can put a booker off. Yet, make only one call and never follow up, and you get nowhere. Try this alternative method of getting your name in front of a venue booker, festival director, library or school coordinator or program organizer. Begin a process of inviting these potential gig buyers to gigs you already have scheduled at nearby venues. This invitation has a number of advantages. It let's them know you are out…

How about booking multiple gigs in one town? Wouldn't it be great to have multiple gigs in one town on the same tour? Just think of what that would do to your bottom line and travel expenses. I thought I’d share some ideas on how to do just that by turning one gig in one town into multiple gigs in one town. Let’s say you know of a venue in town you would either like to play or you already have a gig there. Start with a little research about the town. Check the local websites for the town and…

Get higher gig fees use your numbers. It is simple, concise and logical. In past biz boosters I’ve talked about keeping track of your numbers. Your numbers are an integral part of your ability to leverage higher fees during your gig negotiations. Track numbers like: Advance ticket sales or at the door sales CD sales, other merchandise sales Final percentage paid if it’s a percentage gig Number of other events in town on the same date as your gig Number of newspaper articles, interviews and listings promoting your gig Number of emails or postcards sent out to your fans in…

How important is your local media to your growing career? You may not have considered the impact that local media can have on your career. I’m sure you’ve sent your gig info to the weekly calendar listings in the arts paper and perhaps the weekend edition of the daily paper. Great! Perhaps you’ve sent the local reviewer your CDs and even invited them to some of your shows. If you haven’t, then you may want to start with your very next show. Why? Developing a relationship with your local media writers, reviewers, DJs and TV personalities changes your perceived value…

How is your booking pitch working for you lately? Have you recently taken a close look at how many booking calls turn into gigs? I talk to a lot of artists every week. Certain themes keep coming up. One of the main topics seems to be presenting your value. Whether you are aware of it or not, the way you write your bio, the way to write an email or a newsletter and even the way in which you introduce yourself on a phone call, all speak to how you value yourself. This one factor can make or break a…

Here are 4 steps to avoid booking madness as you plan for your future tours. It's often said that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result, is madness. Now I hear stories from artists whose gig-getting methods verge on this very strategy. So in an effort to help you avoid this syndrome and save you from this maddening prospect, I offer you these four steps. Step 1:  How to avoid last minute bookings:                Plan 2 years in advance. I'm constantly reminding my clients that this one strategy can add momentum and purpose to…

  Remember to access college radio during your upcoming fall tours. School's soon back in session. I know you're  just finishing up your summer tours and it will be time to get back on the road for the fall. So while you are doing that, I have a marketing idea that might help you on those upcoming tour dates. Whether or not you are playing any gigs on college campuses, college radio stations are one media outlet that you should be accessing. First take a look at your upcoming dates. Are there any colleges in or near the cities and…

Getting started and finishing are worlds apart. Some people I know are starters, others are finishers. Some are along for the ride. So, which one are you? When it comes to booking your tour dates, working on a new recording project or book a show, there is always a start a middle and an end. The problem is, in order to make it to the end you have got to start the process. For me, the process always begins at the end. I always like to identify what I want the end result to look like or to be. Then…

Are you contracting outside service providers for any aspect of your career? There are many kinds of contracts you'll be dealing with in this business. You are already familiar with performance contracts for your gigs. There are management contracts, agency contracts, record contracts, publishing contracts, contracts with band members and then there are short term contracts for specific outside services. When you are contracting outside service providers, you should get a written contract to define the services you are expecting the contractor to provide. Hiring a radio promotions company; a publicist; a road manager; a tour bus company; a sound…